Free Shows Presented Online on Friday Evenings:
7 p.m. “Night Sky” Program
8 p.m. Feature Show
April 4 Show: “Aurorae”
April 11 Show: “Nova vs Supernova”
April 25 Show: “Light Experiments (audience request)”
See below for show details.
Zoom link for April Friday evening programs
Planetarium this week
Free, live, virtual public shows!
Invitation links to the planetarium's live online events are generally posted the Thursday before the event. These programs are only available LIVE on Friday evenings, and on the occasional Matinee dates (typically on Sundays). Clicking on the Zoom links at other times will not work.
Please scroll down beyond the calendar for notes on upcoming 8 p.m. programs
We also look forward to the expanded capabilities of the new planetarium and observatory SMC is building for opening in 2025.
Jim Mahon
Planetarium Lecturer
Weekly Night Sky Show
The Night Sky program is roughly 30-40 minutes long, followed by a short question-and-answer period where guests can type questions into a chat box, and we will answer as many questions as possible. There will be a short intermission at approximately 7:50 p.m. prior to the start of the Feature program at 8 p.m.
Feature Programs
Note that all 8 p.m. feature programs are preceded by the 7 p.m. “Night Sky” program described above.
Currently all presentations are online ONLY, with the exception of occasional observing programs.
April 4: “Aurorae” — Lecturer Sarah Vincent. Earth’s poles put on stunning displays called aurorae, but what are they, and is Earth the only place in the solar system with light curtains in the sky?
April 11: “Nova vs Supernova” — Lecturer Sarah Vincent. The end of a star’s life can follow several paths. What’s the difference between a nova and a supernova?
April 25: “Light Experiments (audience request)” — Lecturer Sarah Vincent. At the turn of the last century, scientists wondered if light moved through something called the “luminiferous aether.” Tonight’s show celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Michelson-Gale-Pearson experiment, which proved otherwise.
Location of Planetarium (Currently Closed for Construction)
Math and Science Building (MSB 126)
1900 Pico Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Campus Map
The SMC Planetarium is located in the new Math and Science Building on the south side of the Santa Monica College Main Campus. The Math and Science Building is on the corner of Pearl Street at Parking Lot 1, just west of 20th Street. We are in Santa Monica, south of the 10 (Santa Monica) Freeway and west of the 405 (San Diego) Freeway.